26 ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES — IIERODIONES. 



or thirty, and were frequently shot. The old birds were too shy to be often secured. 

 Their food, as shown by the remains found in their stomach, consists of frogs, lizards, 

 small fish, insects, seeds of a species of ni/mpluea, water-snakes, mice, moles, and 

 other kinils of vermin. 



Audubon met with this species abundantly in Florida, where it is resident througli- 

 out the year. It is found along the Gulf coast to Mexico ; but is rarely met with 

 inland, and usually not more than fifty nules from the coast, and then always near 

 some large river. It frequents, for purposes of reproduction, low, marshy districts 

 covered with large trees, the margin of streams, ponds, or bayous, or gloomy swamps 

 covered with water. In a few instances Mr. Audubon met with its nests in low trees, 

 and on sandy islands at a short distance from the mainland. Early in December Mr. 

 Audubon found this Heron congregated together in vast numbers, apparently for the 

 purpose of mating, in East Florida. He describes the courtship of the males as very 

 curious and interesting. Their throats swelling out in the manner of Cormorants, 

 emitting gurgling sounds, they strutted round the females, raising their long plumes 

 almost erect, and pacing majestically before the objects of their selection. Conflicts 

 now and then took place, but they were not so frequent as he had been led to suppose. 

 These performances were continued from day to day for nearly a week, occupying 

 the warmer portion of the day. 



The flight of this Heron is well sustained and vigorous. On foot its movements 

 are graceful, its step measured, its long neck being gracefully retracted and curved. 

 Its long and silky train makes its a^ipearance a few weeks previous to the love 

 season, and continues to grow and to increase in beauty until incubation has com- 

 menced. After this period it begins to deteriorate, and disappears about the time the 

 young bird leaves the nest. 



Those that migrate northward leave Florida about the first of March ; but none 

 reach Xew Jersey before the middle of May. In Florida the young are full grown 

 by the 8th of May ; in Xew Jersey, not before the 1st of August : in the former 

 State two broods are raised in a season. 



Regarding the supposed California form of the White Egret as identical with the 

 eastern erjretta, I can find no mention of any peculiar characteristics differing from 

 those found on the Southern Atlantic or the Gulf coast. Dr. Cooper has found 

 the Californian birds abundant in the southern part of that State throughout the year. 

 Being without doubt the bird referred to by Dr. Newberry as the Ardea occidentalis, 

 it is found in the summer as far north as the Columbia River. It in all probability 

 breeds throughout this extended range, chiefly in swampy woods near tlie sea. Dr. 

 Cooper met with a large nundier in June, in a grove near the mouth of the Santa 

 Margarita River. He also met with it in May near Santa Barbara, and has procured 

 examjjles also near Fort ]Mojave. 



Mr. Ridgway mentions having met with this bird once, in June, near Sacramento ; 

 and on several occasions in the vicinity of Pyramid Lake, in the months of December 

 and jVIay. 



Captain Bendire informs me, January, 1875, that a large heronry of this species 

 exists in the neighborhood of Fort Harney, about seventy-five miles south of Canyon 

 City, Grant County, Oregon. 



The nests of this Egret vary greatly in position : some are found on the tops of 

 lofty cypress trees from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet from the ground, 

 others on low mangroves not six feet above the water, and others in intermediate 

 positions. The nest is always a large flat structure, composed of sticks loosely put 

 together. It usually overhangs the water, and is resorted to year after year by the 



